TV for the RV

Several years ago I had an old 22" TV with built in DVD and we loved it. Really convenient if you have a lot of DVDs. Don't know if you can still find them though.

If you are interested in the 24" Insignia, Best Buy does have it on sale today as their Deal Of The Day for $149.

24" Insignia Sale

I went the 120V route for my entertainment devices. The 32" LED screen draws 33W. I haven't measured the DVD player or stereo I usually use but the inverter handles everything without a hiccup. My experience with 12V powered entertainment devices is that they are built cheaply and tend to fail within a few years. I've had the same bad experience with combination TV/DVD devices (no durability). That's part of the reason I use separates.

Figures. Haha. We'll see what I end up with. I've pretty much decided on wiring the inverter into the trailer. Maybe I'll do both. Nice to have options.

In case anyone is wondering, this is an old trailer ('87 Wilderness) that has been mainly used for hunting. Been down some logging roads with it that, in retrospect, were probably a bad idea. So it's seen some abuse. I'm fixing it up now. Almost done. And it's new life will be more gentle and used for a lot more family type stuff. Still a lot of dry camping, but easier access stuff. Along with RV resort type stuff.

I'm even painting it to help mitigate that "too old" rule that some places have. Currently, it's the typical tan with brown and rust colored stripes. Typical 80's Era scheme.

So while I'm putting money into it to make it more enjoyable, it's still an old trailer and I was trying not to spend too much. But sounds like it'll be worth it in the long run.

shakyjay wrote:
I have run mine directly with a 12v cord. Not a cord supplied by Insignia just simple 12v connection.

Same here.

Insignia gave me the same story. I went to Radio Shack and bought the 12 volt set up to plug into my 12 volt outlet. Only uses battery power while TV is turned on.

I keep both cords in the camper and use whichever is needed at the time. That is in my truck camper.

I also have the inverter set up in my travel trailer. The inverter set up uses a bit more battery power, because it is powering the TV, an internal cooling fan in the inverter, and the inverter has some parasitic draw.

I have run mine directly with a 12v cord. Not a cord supplied by Insignia just simple 12v connection.

Shakyjay is spot on with his assessment of my situation and wants.

That said, I may just spend the money and get the inverter installed in the trailer to power all outlets. Seems it might be worth it.

In regards to a few of the TVs mentioned, many of them say 12v, but I emailed Insignia and they sent me the following:

"Hi Stephen, (which isn't my name, not sure where he got that from. Haha)

    This is Sal with Insignia Products. I'm writing in response to your inquiry regarding regarding the power requirements of your TV 20ED310NA15. I will gladly provide you with the most accurate information 
    
    After going over the specs of your TV, I can tell you with confidence that it has been designed to work only with a 12 volts AC power adapter. The reason why you see "DC 12V 3A" on the specs, is that it refers to no more that the power requirements and not an actual power cord. If you no longer have the original adapter, Insignia has one that can be purchased at any BBY Store."


So anyway, to simplify things, I believe wiring in the inverter and buying whichever TV/DVD combo I think is the best quality for my price range will be easiest. In the long run, it will be nice to just be able to plug most things in and have them work. It will benefit me more in the long run to have the inverter.

Thanks to all who responded. It helped steer me in a better direction. Much appreciated

While I agree that having an inverter is convenient for many reasons, I can also see how not having to use one to power a TV is also convenient. In my case I have an inverter mounted centrally in my TT, it is close enough to use it with my main TV. If I wanted to move that TV outside and plug it in I would need to run an extension cord out, likewise if I were to move it to bedroom. It would be much easier to just wire in a 12v plug to the areas I intend to move it to. Of course there are ways to install an inverter that will power the 110v outlets throughout the TT but that gets a little more complicated and expensive which is something the OP indicated he was trying to avoid. Could also wire in multiple inverters but again gets more expensive.

I also agree that a Blu-Ray that is capable of playing both formats is more versatile. Just speculating on how the OP plans on using this TV, I can see how a built-in DVD player works for probably 90-95% of how he intends to use it. The set with a built-in DVD can be moved by itself outside for instance to watch a DVD. Don't have to also move, hook up, and power a Blu-Ray player. Seeing as to how he has said he has tons of DVD's already it sounds like that is mostly what he intends to play. The set with the built-in DVD can also have a Blu-Ray player plugged into it if desired. Seeing as to how the Insignia's that have been linked are cheaper than some of the other TV's alone even adding a cheap Blu-Ray would have the cost less than many of the other TV's suggested. That is the same thinking I used when I bought the one for my TT bedroom. I figured I could move it outside and watch either TV or a movie on DVD. I was able to pick up the 24" model for about $120 on one their deals of the day. So for that price it was a very economical way to accomplish what I wanted which sounds similar to what OP is doing. The TV has performed well. I was happy enough with it that I also bought 3 more without the DVD players to use at my house (again on a deal of the day). I put 2 on my patio and one in my kitchen. The one in the kitchen gets daily use and has been great. I also have other TV's, 3 Samsungs, 1 Sharp, 1 Toshiba and a Dynex on my office wall. The only drawback with the Insignias that I have found is that the volume can be a little low. In a TT setting that is not a problem though.

RoyB wrote:
Hard to beat the VIZIO 22-inch HDTV and separate DVD player from WALMART. I originally got a 150WATT PSW INVERTER for the home entertainment items but after seeing what I had I kept finding other 120VAC items to plug into the setup.

Today I have a 600ATT PSW Inverter setup with its 120VAC outputs going to the Home entertainment area and bedroom night stand area using 120VAC extension drop cords.

My Home Entertainment and other small wattage uses like cell phone chargers, Computer chargers, small fan, X Radio, etc.. usually adds up to around 250WATTs drain on the battery whne camping off the power grid.

Having the 120VAC Emergency Power outlet will have alot of good uses for you.

I never had much luck with all the 12VDC items you find at local truck stops. Got a 8-cup 12VDC coffee maker one time and it took almost 7 hours to perk a pot of coffee...

120VAC items are available everywhere at a reasonable cost. 12VDC Appliances/Items are more expensive and I never had much luck with them...

My 600WATT PSW AIMS Inverter being PSW runs anything I plug into it without fear of burning anything up. Nice to have around in my trailer setup for sure...

Just my thoughts and experiences here...
Roy Ken

Similar Setup. I've had good luck with the Vizios myself. Have that and an off-brand DVD playe and an inverter. We have ours mounted on a swing arm so it can be viewed from in the Overhead bunk (Class C) or from the sofa/dinette area.

If I was doing it again, I'd probably do the seperate Blue Ray that also does DVD.
Get a Vizio with RCA and HDMI and VGA if you can find it. I've connected using adapters my Computer, camera, and even our smartphones to watch stuff.

Another thing I didn't mention earlier regarding the Blu-Ray player & reasoning for it instead of a DVD. Not only will it support both media, many of the newer Blu-rays have built in streaming capabilities. So, if you have Amazon, Hulu, Netflix etc. it opens the door for more options.

Just a thought.